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John Jay

(1745 - 1829)

Childhood:

John was the sixth out of his seven siblings who survived into adulthood. Soon after John was born, his family moved from Manhattan to Rye to a more salubrious environment to raise his elder siblings. Two of them was blind while another two suffered from mental handicaps.

Education:

When John was little, he was educated by private tutors. In the summer of 1760, he entered the newly-founded King's College, which is now Comlumbia University. In there he took conventional classical education and graduated in 1764.

Wife/Children:

In Apirl of 1774, Jay married Sarah Livingston, the daughter of New Jersey Governor William Livingston.

Occupation before Revolution:

After he graduated, he was a law clerk in the office of Benjamin Kissam. However, in 1768 he established a legal practice with Robert R. Livingston, Jr., scion of the "Lower Manor" branch of the Livingston family. Then after that he operated his own law office from 1771 until revoulation..

Life after Revolution:

After the revolution, he was elected the new Governor of New York, a position that he had wanted long ago. During his two terms as governor, Jay confronted issues ranging from Indian affairs, to the fortification of the city's harbor in advance of a suspected French attack, to the construction of a new state prison.  

Quote

“ Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers. And it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest, of a Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers." First Chief Justice of Supreme Court John Jay to Jedidiah Morse February 28, 1797